Member profile for Dr_Henderson

It’s getting to that time of year when patients of mine are starting to talk about jetting off to catch some winter sunshine somewhere exotic or practising their ski exercises before their annual trip to the slopes (and usually injuring themselves in their front room in the process!).

Now, whisper it quietly. But I don’t think that cheap (and not so cheap) air travel is all it's necessarily cracked up to be.

Whether you are a frequent flyer or a holidaymaker simply looking forward to two weeks away from the boss, the health risks of flying are more subtle than we think.

In general, these are due to on-board air quality since airlines alter the proportion of fresh air compared to recycled air we breathe during a flight, and I have heard reports of engine fumes leaking into the aircraft and causing symptoms.

Swiss Alp-quality air it certainly isn’t, but before we all jump on the nearest fishing boat instead, there are a great many things we can do to reduce the chances of us leaving a plane sicker than when we boarded it;

• During long-haul flights always remember to get up and walk about for a few minutes every hour. This reduces the chances of a blood clot developing in the calves due to prolonged sitting at altitude – something that I frequently see in travellers and which is said to affect at least 2,000 people in the UK each year. If you have a history of this problem or suffer from varicose veins it is sensible to take an aspirin on the day of the flight as this will thin the blood slightly and reduce the risk of blood clots.

• Drink plenty of fluid – and I don’t mean raiding the hostess duty-free trolley here. The humidity in a plane is around 3 per cent – far worse than in the middle of a desert – and the effects of alcohol work far quicker in a plane than on the ground. Aim to drink water regularly throughout the flight, with at least 2 litres being the minimum to aim for. This will reduce the problems of headaches, tiredness and jet lag considerably. Some people also find that these symptoms are eased by taking Vitamins C and E for some weeks before flying as well as using the natural supplements ginseng and echinacea for the same reason.

• Choose where you sit. Air quality varies throughout a plane with the fresher air being found towards the front where it is pumped into the cabin. Before it reaches the back of the plane it has been breathed in and out hundreds of times so always try to fly first class rather than economy if the expense sheet will allow it! Alternatives include pre-booking, being the first onto the plane or smiling sweetly when checking in to try and get an upgrade…

• Watch what you eat. Not surprisingly, sitting in a pressurised metal box at 30,000 feet has an effect on any gas that is inside you. This will expand by 20 per cent during a flight and so it is sensible to avoid gassy drinks or sparkling water in-flight. If there are certain foods that seem to cause bloating normally, avoid these on the in-flight meals and remember to keep the meals you eat shortly before flying light and simple – pasta and fruit would be ideal. It is better to arrive at your destination slightly hungry and well hydrated than bloated and thirsty.

• Remember you are a customer. Avoid the ‘herding cattle’ mentality some airlines display and be aware that staff are obliged to keep the air packs that pull in air from outside working throughout a flight. Airlines are also legally obliged to carry a set number of oxygen cannisters per passenger – you can ask for the use of one of these if you are having problems breathing or feel sick.

Using some or all of these simple tips can turn a potentially unpleasant and unhealthy flight into something to be looked forward to rather than endured, as many of us have in the past, and that means we can enjoy our destination – whether hot or cold – to the full.

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